In conjunction with Capitol Hill Ocean Week, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will hold its annual Leadership Awards Dinner the evening of June 9, 2009, which should be especially memorable this year.

Ocean explorer and icon Dr. Robert Ballard will be presented with the Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions and leadership in ocean science and exploration. The Foundation will also pay tribute to Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, honoring her with the Foundation’s Leadership Award in recognition of her public commitment to marine resource conservation and science. Awards will be presented by Foundation Board Chair, Bob Talbot and Trustee Emerita Sylvia Earle.

The Foundation also has the distinct privilege of honoring this year’s recipient of the National Marine Sanctuaries Volunteer of the Year Award. As always, the Volunteer of the Year will be announced the night of the Leadership Awards Dinner.

Boyd Matson, journalist, former NBC Today Show weekend host, and current host for National Geographic’s Wild Chronicles television and weekly radio program, will emcee this spectacular event. While it is a far cry from his envious job of traveling to exotic locations and reporting on thrilling expeditions for Wild Chronicles, his weekly radio show NG Weekend and monthly column in National Geographic Traveler magazine, titled “Boyd Matson Unbound,” Boyd will no doubt help to ensure that this year's Leadership Awards Dinner will be an evening to remember.

As an added bonus for the evening’s attendees, the dinner will feature a special sustainable seafood menu prepared exclusively by four renowned chefs, Michel Richard (Citronelle and Central), Todd Gray (Equinox), Ris Lacoste (ris), and Xavier Deshayes (Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center).

“In keeping with our sustainable seafood initiative, we are extremely fortunate to have such an array of outstanding chefs who will donate their creative talents to support ocean conservation and the work of the Foundation. Dinner guests will be in for a very special evening,” said Joy Williams, acting president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

A short film produced by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries profiling our nation’s ocean and great lakes treasures will premeire during the evening. It is our hope that helps to inspire individual action to protect and preserve these special places.

Update: Due to an overwhelming response the Seventh Annual Leadership Awards Dinner is currently sold out.